BINALONAN – Mayor Ramon N. Guico Jr., president of the League of Municipalities in the country, challenged the sangguniang panlalawigan of Pangasinan yesterday to invite him to its regular session so that he can publicly and officially explain why he has not submitted some P2 million real property tax collections of Binalonan to the provincial government.

Guico, who has headed the league composed of municipal mayors for more than four years now, earlier created a controversy in Pangasinan when he ordered the non-remittance of the RPT collections to the provincial treasurer’s office.

“In behalf of municipalities in the country which may encounter similar predicaments in RPT remittances, I am challenging the SP – through Vice Governor Oscar B. Lambino – to invite me so that I can publicly reveal why I made the move,” he said.

Guico pointed out that if the provincial government under Governor Victor E. Agbayani is not hiding anything concerning projects originating form the province to towns that submit RPT collections, “then they should not fear inviting me to the SP where I can answer pertinent inquiries or even be placed under the SP’s Question Hour.”

He emphasized that the P2 million collection is intact at the Land Bank of the Philippines, debunking rumors that his refusal to remit is caused by anomalies in fund handling.

He said before he can be convinced to remit the amount to the provincial government, he should know first where and what projects Agbayani is spending the RPT in. He said he should know if projects for Binalonan really go to Binalonan.

Guico explained that municipalities remit RPT collections so that the provincial government can have funds for projects, especially for the development of barangays. However, he said he has no idea how or where the money is spent among Pangasinan’s 44 towns.

Guico’s move was triggered days ago by the alleged refusal of Agbayani to honor an earlier promise the governor made for the asphalt paving of village roads in four Binalonan barangays, namely Sili, Moreno, Camanggaan and Sta. Catalina.

Guico felt that his town was being discriminated against in the grant of projects, while other municipalities get priority support.

Provincial Treasurer Ramon Crisostomo had written the municipal treasurer of Binalonan to remit the RPT collections; but Guico remained defiant despite threats that Binalonan may face sanctions for ignoring the demand letters.